First Lady of Malaysia joins AUW Council of Patrons

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Nov. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Asian University for Women (AUW) is pleased to announce that H.E. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, the First Lady of Malaysia, has joined the AUW Council of Patrons. She is a passionate champion for the education and empowerment of women and is involved in various academic, social, and labour organizations. In Malaysia the First Lady is well known for her commitment to youth. She is the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

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H.E. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor is the recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Anugerah Seri Paduka Mahkota Kelantan, Darjah and Kebesaran Mahkota Kelantan Yang Amat Mulia in 2010; the Anugerah Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu, Darjah Kebesaran Tertinggi Sabah Honorary Doctorate in Education by University Technology MARA Malaysia, Tun Fatimah Gold Medal by NCWO in 2009; and Darjah Seri Setia DiRaja Kedah (SSDK) and Darjah Seri Paduka Tuanku Ja'afar Yang Amat Terpuji (SPTJ) in 2006.

Earlier this year, H.E. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor inspired AUW students and other participants at one of AUW's international symposiums with her compelling speech about the importance of higher education for women. Speaking at the symposium titled 'Imagining another future for Asia: Ideas and pathways for change' in Dhaka, the First Lady eloquently described the immense potential carried by women with a university education. She spoke about the progress of her home country in educating women and the steps they must take to be competitive in the globalised economy.

The First Lady's engagement as AUW patron paves the way for greater collaboration between AUW and institutions in Malaysia. She is expected to actively advocate for women's empowerment and education in general and the cause of AUW in particular. The First Lady will focus on AUW's outreach in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and to this end, she will co-host with AUW Chancellor Cherie Blair a major conference on women's education and empowerment that is being planned for the Spring of 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.

Accepting the invitation to be a member of the AUW Council of Patrons from Mrs. Blair, the First Lady replied: "It is a great honour for me to be part of the Council. I do hope I would be able to play an effective role as an advocate for AUW."

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, who is the Chief Patron of AUW, welcomed the First Lady stating: "I look forward to closely working with you and all the other patrons of AUW in advancing the cause of the University and that of the education and empowerment of women all over Asia and beyond."

AUW's other patrons include Former Minister of Environment in Denmark Lone Dybkjaer; Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova; Vice President of the Italian Senate Emma Bonino; and Former Chief Secretary of Hong Kong Anson Chan.

Fellowships
AUW will offer 10 fellowships named after H.E. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor. Each fellowship will carry US$ 12,000 in scholarship that will cover the cost of room, board and tuition for one year. The First Lady's Office and AUW will collaborate to fund these fellowships. Previously similar fellowships have been established in the name of Chancellor Cherie Blair and former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who is a former patron of AUW.

SOURCE Asian University for Women Support Foundation